How to Clean Your CPAP: Daily, Weekly and Replacement Guide

The basic rule for CPAP cleaning is simple: wash the parts that touch your face and breath with mild soap and warm water, rinse well and let them air dry. Do a quick clean each morning, a deeper wash once a week, and replace worn parts on schedule. You do not need a special cleaning machine, and the FDA has warned against ozone and UV light cleaners.

Why cleaning matters

Your mask sits on your skin all night, and warm, moist air flows through the tubing and humidifier. Over time, skin oils, dust and germs can build up. In one study that took apart CPAP devices used every day, the mask, tubing, humidifier and even the inside of the machine showed a lot of buildup.^[1]

• Better seal — skin oils make the cushion slippery, which can cause leaks.
• Healthier skin — a clean cushion is less likely to cause redness or breakouts.
• Fresher air — a clean humidifier and tubing help prevent odors and mold.
• Longer-lasting parts — gentle, regular care keeps cushions soft and working.

Daily cleaning steps

These take only a few minutes each morning:

• Wipe the mask cushion — use a damp cloth with mild soap, or a CPAP wipe without alcohol, then rinse or wipe with plain water.
• Empty the humidifier — pour out leftover water. Do not top it off; old water can grow germs.
• Let parts air dry — set the mask and water chamber on a clean towel, out of direct sunlight.
• Refill at bedtime — fill the chamber with fresh distilled water just before you sleep.

Washing your face before bed also helps. Less oil on your skin means less oil on the cushion.

Weekly cleaning steps

• Take it apart — separate the mask cushion, frame and headgear. Unplug the machine first.
• Wash in warm, soapy water — use a mild, unscented dish soap. Swish the tubing in the water so soap runs all the way through.
• Clean the water chamber — wash it with soap and water. Some manufacturers allow a diluted vinegar soak; check your manual first.^[2]
• Rinse well — leftover soap can bother your skin and lungs.
• Hang the tubing to dry — drape it over a towel bar or shower rod so water drains out.
• Check the filter — rinse reusable filters and replace disposable ones as your manual says.
• Wipe the machine — use a damp cloth on the outside. Never put the machine itself in water.^[2]

Wash headgear by hand and let it air dry. Avoid bleach, alcohol, perfumed soaps and the dishwasher unless your manual says a part is dishwasher-safe.

Use distilled water in the humidifier

Most CPAP makers recommend distilled water for the humidifier. Tap water and many bottled waters contain minerals. These can leave white, crusty scale in the water chamber and may shorten its life. Distilled water is sold in most grocery stores. If you are traveling, see traveling with CPAP for what to do when you cannot find it.

Skip ozone and UV light cleaners

In February 2020, the FDA issued a safety communication about CPAP cleaners that use ozone gas or ultraviolet (UV) light.^[3] Its main points:

• Not authorized for cleaning — the FDA says no ozone or UV device has been cleared or approved to clean, disinfect or sanitize CPAP machines.^[2]
• Ozone can harm your lungs — people reported cough, trouble breathing, headaches and asthma attacks. Ozone can leak into the room and may stay in the equipment for hours.^[2][3]
• UV is unproven — the FDA has no evidence that these devices kill germs on CPAP parts or reach inside the tubing.^[2]
• Both can damage parts — ozone and UV light can wear down masks and hoses.^[2]

The FDA has since authorized one add-on device that reduces bacteria on certain masks and hoses, but only as an extra step after normal cleaning, not a replacement for it.^[2] Soap and water remain the standard. Ask your sleep doctor before buying any cleaning gadget.

Replacement schedule

Cleaning does not make parts last forever. Soft cushions break down, and tubing can crack. Many suppliers and insurance plans follow a set schedule. For example, Medicare's usual limits are:^[4]

• Nasal cushions and nasal pillows — up to 2 per month.
• Full face mask cushion — 1 per month.
• Disposable filters — up to 2 per month.
• Mask frame and tubing — 1 every 3 months.
• Headgear, chin strap, reusable filter and water chamber — 1 every 6 months.
• CPAP machine — Medicare treats 5 years as the usual useful life of a machine.

Your own plan's rules may differ, so ask your equipment supplier. Replace a part sooner if it is damaged.

Signs a part needs replacing

• The mask keeps leaking — even after you clean and adjust it. For more fixes, see common CPAP problems and solutions.
• The cushion looks worn — it is stiff, cloudy, sticky, torn or out of shape.
• Headgear is stretched — you have to pull straps tighter than before.
• Tubing is damaged — cracks, holes or a smell that will not wash out.
• The water chamber stays cloudy — or has scale or cracks.
• The machine acts up — it is louder than usual, shows errors or does not power on.

A new mask is also a good time to check you have the right style. See CPAP mask types.

When to see your sleep doctor

Clean equipment helps, but some problems need a visit. Call your sleep doctor if:

• Skin problems will not go away — sores, rashes or red marks where the mask sits.
• You often get stuffy or sick — such as frequent sinus or nose irritation while using CPAP.
• Snoring or sleepiness comes back — your pressure or mask may need a change.
• You struggle to use CPAP each night — see getting used to CPAP for tips.

CPAP care in Cedar Park

Dr. Minal Patel is board-certified in pediatrics and sleep medicine. Our practice offers CPAP and BiPAP titration and therapy, in-lab and home sleep apnea tests, and Inspire evaluation. We do not sell equipment, but we can help you sort out mask and comfort problems. We are accepting new patients, Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 5:00. We accept Medicaid and CHIP for sleep patients. We do not take walk-ins.